Air Antilles Express is taking bookings for their new SXM-STX-STT-SXM 3x weekly route in early July. Expect the WinAir website to soon allow for ticket sales for connections to SKB, NEV, ANU, SBH, EUX, and SAB.

These flights don't integrate well with WMs schedules to ANU. WMs flight from ANU arrives too late to connect in SXM. Apparently Seaborne will be starting flights to ANU and these will connect to the USVI.

These flights are oriented mostly towards local SXM-USVI travel. Even with SKB there is too much waiting around, and in fact the STT SXM connects better with a LI flight than with WM into SKB.

The July schedule allows for connectivity to ANU in both directions. August flights only allow for same connection to ANU, but as you pointed out, the ANU-SXM flight arrives too late. I did hear from someone at the airline that aircraft availability is an issue, so it seems that they are trying to best work with what they have. It is certainly better than nothing, and don't see any reason why the flights can't be filled consistently. I'm sure that as Air Antilles acquires more aircraft, the schedule will allow for better connectivity from the USVI to the entire WM network.

This flight also continues to DOM and PTP, albeit under a different flight number.

Air Antilles Express is taking bookings for their new SXM-STX-STT-SXM 3x weekly route in early July. Expect the WinAir website to soon allow for ticket sales for connections to SKB, NEV, ANU, SBH, EUX, and SAB.

These flights don't integrate well with WMs schedules to ANU. WMs flight from ANU arrives too late to connect in SXM. Apparently Seaborne will be starting flights to ANU and these will connect to the USVI.

These flights are oriented mostly towards local SXM-USVI travel. Even with SKB there is too much waiting around, and in fact the STT SXM connects better with a LI flight than with WM into SKB.

The July schedule allows for connectivity to ANU in both directions. August flights only allow for same connection to ANU, but as you pointed out, the ANU-SXM flight arrives too late. I did hear from someone at the airline that aircraft availability is an issue, so it seems that they are trying to best work with what they have. It is certainly better than nothing, and don't see any reason why the flights can't be filled consistently. I'm sure that as Air Antilles acquires more aircraft, the schedule will allow for better connectivity from the USVI to the entire WM network.

This flight also continues to DOM and PTP, albeit under a different flight number.

In fact all 3S needs to do is to let their flight leave SXM 2 hours later. As it currently is the plane arrives in SXM at 130pm and doesn't leave for DOM until 6PM. So there is ample time to allow the WM flight to arrive from ANU and to get the flight back in time for the DOM departure. WM can then have a later departure from SXM to ANU. This would actually allow more seamless service to all of the WM islands. .I suspect this flight will need as many connections as possible to be sustainable in the weaker months. I don't think 3S will be too sympathetic if its performance is subpar..

Apparently Seaborne will be starting flights to ANU and these will connect to the USVI.\

Starts July 21, I think. Flying Tues, Wed, Fri, Sun. I've heard that the first week is already completely sold out.

Would think so given that its the only way to travel between ANU and the USVI. While the USVI market has declined, given that most of the immigrants have now been there for a long time, and so ties to their homelands has declined, it isn't as if there isn't a market. Especially during the busy summer season when kids aren't in school, so families travel.

Its really interesting that LI is abandoning markets in the northeast Caribbean, and others are moving in. We will see how their southeast Caribbean obsession will survive if SVD is ever able to get sustained jet service (which they haven't yet).

In addition this flight leaves SJU in the evening, so opens up travel to ANU from points in the USA where connections to the morning departure out of MIA aren't possible.

Any word on the Insel Air saga? I saw on another thread that Insel Air Aruba filed for bankruptcy are the MD80's parked up in Curacao?

InselAir Aruba officially declared bankrupt. From what I can gather looking at planespotters.net data, it looks like only the 2 F50's were transferred to InselAir. The remained F70's and MD-80's are all showing stored right now. I'm sure a few locals in Aruba or Curacao would be able to provide some insight as to where the planes are parked or if any of them have moved recently.

Any word on the Insel Air saga? I saw on another thread that Insel Air Aruba filed for bankruptcy are the MD80's parked up in Curacao?

InselAir Aruba officially declared bankrupt. From what I can gather looking at planespotters.net data, it looks like only the 2 F50's were transferred to InselAir. The remained F70's and MD-80's are all showing stored right now. I'm sure a few locals in Aruba or Curacao would be able to provide some insight as to where the planes are parked or if any of them have moved recently.

Apparently the discussions about a strategic alliance with Avianca have stalled. I guess until these are determined no one knows the long term future of this carrier, beyond its limited routes within the Dutch Caribbean.

The whole Insel Air situation is very unclear to many people here. Many don't see th future as bright for this airline as they're just not sustainable anymore. The Avianca is still very vague. There are people claiming the deal stalled while others say that the a team of Avianca will be heading our way to analyze any potential deal. I personally don't see it happening.

Sky High received a 2nd B1900, an Ex-UA Express bird. Plans are to add a 30-seater a/c soon to operate charters around the Caribbean. They applied to DOT to fly to SJU & The USVI.Sky operates to Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis & Tortola.

Dominican Wings is operating EWR-PUJ until August, after which they will initiate Baltimore route.

PAWA moved over 43,000 pax in Q1 compared to only 7,000 last year; 25,000 for May 2017 alone! They are doing really well.Their 1st CRJ, N265AV will be delivered soon. It flew YYC-GTF last week in prep for delivery. Total of 2 or 3 CRJs to be inducted this year.2017 additional destinations include POS, KIN, JFK.

.

Wonder when they plan to start the JFK SDQ. I thought that summer would be a good time to start. Maybe by the Xmas rush. Wish them luck against B6 which is running 7 daily to SDQ from JFK. Think this is the competition as I am not sure that DL is really in the Caribbean VFR markets. Probably more in the business market into SDQ.

The whole Insel Air situation is very unclear to many people here. Many don't see th future as bright for this airline as they're just not sustainable anymore. The Avianca is still very vague. There are people claiming the deal stalled while others say that the a team of Avianca will be heading our way to analyze any potential deal. I personally don't see it happening.

It looks like a deal with Synergy (Avianca) is in the making and it is expected to have it done by mid July. There are some new details (article in Dutch only): - Synergy will not take over the current debt from Insel of around USD 130 mil. - It will take-over the routes, the employees and the licenses/permits- The brand Insel Air will be dismantled and it will continue under a new name and brandingSource: http://antilliaansdagblad.com/curacao/1 ... in-de-maak

This would be fantastic news, since Synergy is known to heavily invest in its airlines and that is exactly what an airline based in Curacao needs. I am very curious if the airline will be branded as an Avianca subsidiary like "Avianca Caribbean" and if it will be a full part of the Avianca Group and what will its role be within the group be. Also what kind of fleet and type Synergy would use for a Curacao based airline. I believe the MD80s would be a thing of the past and a for the beginning we could receive the older aircraft from Avianca like some Fokkers and older A319/320 to start with, but I still believe that a mix of modern ATR's, E-Jets and some A319/320 would be perfect for a Caribbean airline with some longer routes to North and South America.

I am very curious how things will move forward, but there is lots of potential and I believe with all the expansions currently happening at CUR airport, the room and infrastructure for something like this is also there!

I read about this kasimir, that's excellent news!!! I have heard however, that under the current law any airline who wants to take over a local airline must also take over its debts and the name cannot be changed as that would mean that there will be a new airline so the Synergy group can't change the Insel Air name. This means they will have to start the process from scratch again but I'm not sure. I don't know how they will solve this but in any case I do hope they will be able to take it over as we will now at least get a renowned airline brand based here which is good. I'm happy

The whole Insel Air situation is very unclear to many people here. Many don't see th future as bright for this airline as they're just not sustainable anymore. The Avianca is still very vague. There are people claiming the deal stalled while others say that the a team of Avianca will be heading our way to analyze any potential deal. I personally don't see it happening.

It looks like a deal with Synergy (Avianca) is in the making and it is expected to have it done by mid July. There are some new details (article in Dutch only): - Synergy will not take over the current debt from Insel of around USD 130 mil. - It will take-over the routes, the employees and the licenses/permits- The brand Insel Air will be dismantled and it will continue under a new name and brandingSource: http://antilliaansdagblad.com/curacao/1 ... in-de-maak

This would be fantastic news, since Synergy is known to heavily invest in its airlines and that is exactly what an airline based in Curacao needs. I am very curious if the airline will be branded as an Avianca subsidiary like "Avianca Caribbean" and if it will be a full part of the Avianca Group and what will its role be within the group be. Also what kind of fleet and type Synergy would use for a Curacao based airline. I believe the MD80s would be a thing of the past and a for the beginning we could receive the older aircraft from Avianca like some Fokkers and older A319/320 to start with, but I still believe that a mix of modern ATR's, E-Jets and some A319/320 would be perfect for a Caribbean airline with some longer routes to North and South America.

I am very curious how things will move forward, but there is lots of potential and I believe with all the expansions currently happening at CUR airport, the room and infrastructure for something like this is also there!

Interesting news just a bit of clarification but Avianca has phased out its Fokker fleet. I am thinking they will move towards having an ATR/ Airbus fleet.

Air Antilles Express is taking bookings for their new SXM-STX-STT-SXM 3x weekly route in early July. Expect the WinAir website to soon allow for ticket sales for connections to SKB, NEV, ANU, SBH, EUX, and SAB.

It seems as if the dates have been pushed back, as one can no longer book flights to STX/STT on the Air Antilles website. Perhaps a delay with their paperwork for the permitting process.

The US DOT just released their international traffic information for 2016. I crunched passenger numbers for various Caribbean destinations. Thought I'd share. NYC market includes JFK & EWR. South Florida includes MIA & FLL.

Caveats:

- LIAT doesn't report numbers so certain islands (mainly Antigua, SXM) will be under counted.- When a flight is diverted, US DOT records the arrival/departure from the diversion airport. I didn't factor those into route numbers for various reasons.- Total market includes chartered flight passengers. Route numbers are only scheduled flight passengers.

The US DOT just released their international traffic information for 2016. I crunched passenger numbers for various Caribbean destinations. Thought I'd share. NYC market includes JFK & EWR. South Florida includes MIA & FLL.

Caveats:

- LIAT doesn't report numbers so certain islands (mainly Antigua, SXM) will be under counted.- When a flight is diverted, US DOT records the arrival/departure from the diversion airport. I didn't factor those into route numbers for various reasons.- Total market includes chartered flight passengers. Route numbers are only scheduled flight passengers.

I am surprised by the Barbados numbers with more passengers heading to South Florida.

I think that speaks to the strength of the AA hub (which is evident in the data from most islands) and the entrance of B6 on the route which led to insanely low fares to BGI out of both MIA and FLL which may have stimulated travel.

A lot of things surprised me from the data:

- SKB's overall dependence on AA from MIA- DL's strength in UVF. I knew they did well there but did not realize that they were basically equaling AA's performance on the MIA route.- B6's strength relative to BW on the FLL route to POS. B6 even gets more passengers out of FLL than BW gets out of MIA.- UA's strength on IAH-POS. I knew there was a decent market there but didn't realize it was that large.- How small ANU-MIA is. I know fares are extremely high on the route but the fact that it was the only sub 100K passenger MIA route save for Grenada surprised me. Going back to the previous point, the fact that it had less passengers than IAH-POS shocked me.- How small Grenada-US market is. The fact that it's smaller than Saint Kitts surprised me.

I am surprised by the Barbados numbers with more passengers heading to South Florida.

I think that speaks to the strength of the AA hub (which is evident in the data from most islands) and the entrance of B6 on the route which led to insanely low fares to BGI out of both MIA and FLL which may have stimulated travel.

A lot of things surprised me from the data:

- SKB's overall dependence on AA from MIA- DL's strength in UVF. I knew they did well there but did not realize that they were basically equaling AA's performance on the MIA route.- B6's strength relative to BW on the FLL route to POS. B6 even gets more passengers out of FLL than BW gets out of MIA.- UA's strength on IAH-POS. I knew there was a decent market there but didn't realize it was that large.- How small ANU-MIA is. I know fares are extremely high on the route but the fact that it was the only sub 100K passenger MIA route save for Grenada surprised me. Going back to the previous point, the fact that it had less passengers than IAH-POS shocked me.- How small Grenada-US market is. The fact that it's smaller than Saint Kitts surprised me.

Good work.

In fact SKB/NEVs US tourist arrivals are almost 50% higher than that of GND, though its VFR is much smaller. This is evident in the NYC numbers. Since the opening of Sandal's in GND the gap may shrink as there are increasing US tourist arrivals. DL will be expanding its SKB flights next year, so while AA will continue to have a de facto monopoly there will be more choice.

ANU seems to have a very NY oriented US leisure market. Apparently numbers from elsewhere aren't impressive as AA hasn't seen it fit to add evening departures from MIA to facilitate people who cannot make its 1040 departure.

B6 will see declining numbers on the FLL POS as it has reduced to 4x weekly. That should help BW, though I foresee increased fares which should dampen travel.

Air Antilles Express is taking bookings for their new SXM-STX-STT-SXM 3x weekly route in early July. Expect the WinAir website to soon allow for ticket sales for connections to SKB, NEV, ANU, SBH, EUX, and SAB.

These flights don't integrate well with WMs schedules to ANU. WMs flight from ANU arrives too late to connect in SXM. Apparently Seaborne will be starting flights to ANU and these will connect to the USVI.

These flights are oriented mostly towards local SXM-USVI travel. Even with SKB there is too much waiting around, and in fact the STT SXM connects better with a LI flight than with WM into SKB.

The July schedule allows for connectivity to ANU in both directions. August flights only allow for same connection to ANU, but as you pointed out, the ANU-SXM flight arrives too late. I did hear from someone at the airline that aircraft availability is an issue, so it seems that they are trying to best work with what they have. It is certainly better than nothing, and don't see any reason why the flights can't be filled consistently. I'm sure that as Air Antilles acquires more aircraft, the schedule will allow for better connectivity from the USVI to the entire WM network.

This flight also continues to DOM and PTP, albeit under a different flight number.

I was quite surprised with this announcement and the timing. According to Airlineroute, they will start in August 2 until August 30. Probably they find a way to maximize the use of their ATR42 in SXM. I heard that the company has major issues with one of its subsidiaries based in French Guiana, Air Guyane, which has a deficit of almost 700k€ and cut 80 % of all its routes within the territory. It has requested a 200k€ loan from the local authorities to continue operating these routes. Even worse they may lose their contract to operate these routes by the end of the year if the local authorities decides to go with another airline. One way or another, the parent company CAIRE will have to cover Air Guyane's losses.

Not sure about Air Antilles running service to USVI. How will they develop a following unless they provide ongoing service, even though reports are that this is a highly seasonal route? WM hasn't really properly developed SXM as a hub connecting passengers between various points within its network. Its orientation is to get people to SXM and maybe onward connections to international carriers to Europe, North America, Jamaica and Latin America.

Not sure about Air Antilles running service to USVI. How will they develop a following unless they provide ongoing service, even though reports are that this is a highly seasonal route? WM hasn't really properly developed SXM as a hub connecting passengers between various points within its network. Its orientation is to get people to SXM and maybe onward connections to international carriers to Europe, North America, Jamaica and Latin America.

Just got word that the service will not be happening. Apparently Air Antilles, as a French airline, does not have a permit with the SXM Civil Aviation Authority to operate routes to the USVI, and the French govt has opted not to pursue any permitting with the SXM authorities. Could InterCaribbean possibly serve the USVI? Which routes? STT/STX stopovers from their focus city in EIS would prove problematic, as US visas would be required for any stopovers in STX/STT.

Just got word that the service will not be happening. Apparently Air Antilles, as a French airline, does not have a permit with the SXM Civil Aviation Authority to operate routes to the USVI, and the French govt has opted not to pursue any permitting with the SXM authorities. Could InterCaribbean possibly serve the USVI? Which routes? STT/STX stopovers from their focus city in EIS would prove problematic, as US visas would be required for any stopovers in STX/STT.

I thought that this was going to be a code share with Winair, just as the SJU SXM flight is? I guess SJU is considered more worthy by the French authorities and so they have obtained the necessary permits. Anyway I was skeptical about this as outside of the summer peak there are fewer 3S flights to SXM and therefore a lower ability to release planes for the USVI, which will be seen as less important than is SJU.

Now that LI has ceased service out of the USVI how are people travelling to these islands? Curious about the SLU bit, given that Seaborne doesn't fly there. I assume that Seaborne's SJU ANU will be heavily supported by people connecting out of the USVI. I note that Air Sunshine has now added SKB STT service. If the route is under served then Inter Carib might start service, using the EIS STT sector for local travel rather than for passengers travelling thru STT to SKB/ANU. Inter Carib has lofty goals of expanding their Eastern Caribbean service. The obvious gap is out of STT especially.

Now that LI has ceased service out of the USVI how are people travelling to these islands? Curious about the SLU bit, given that Seaborne doesn't fly there. .

The quick option would have been to connect in BGI. However, LI's SJU-DOM-BGI flight doesn't connect to the BGI-SLU flight.

Hwoever, there are several other options from STX/STT to SLU.

1. LI out of EIS. For STX passengers, this would prove problematic would involve airport-to-ferry taxi transfers in both St. Thomas and Tortola. Departure tax and arrival tax for BVI would have to be paid. 2. AA via MIA. Requires overnight in both directions3. Coastal (STX-DCF) or Air Sunshine (STX-DOM) followed by Trans Island Air DOM-SLU4. Air Antilles Express SJU-PTP-FDF-SLU. However, this seems impossible to book online. Maybe this requires a phone call to the airline?

Returning from SLU to STX is much easier, as one can do a same-day SLU-BGI-DOM-SJU, and connect to STX/STT on BB.

I somehow get the feeling that many people aren't aware of the same-day options for getting to SLU. The word needs to get out.

The quick option would have been to connect in BGI. However, LI's SJU-DOM-BGI flight doesn't connect to the BGI-SLU flight.

..

For those who don't trust small planes the best way will be to fly 3S from SJU to SLU. The plane stops in PTP and FDF. The return will be on LI using the way that you describe. I think that the 3S booking problem might be that they cannot bring you back to SJU. I know that LI doesn't penalize for one way fares but I don't know what #s's policy will be.

The issue with SJU will be how long it takes to get through immigration and customs and get to the Seaborne gate. For SKB there is around 1 1/2 hours between the arrival of BB and its departure to STT. Some days just over an hour. That doesn't seem enough if you arrive behind some flight from the DR and I suspect that B6 has 2 flights arriving around the time that BB gets in from SKB. The issue is also the amount of walking that one will have to do to get from the plane through customs and immigration, through TSA and then to the BB gate.

I will suggest that this is a new era. The increased cost and hassle of travelling from the USVI will be such that only this most motivated will do it. Its either a long journey with stops and anxieties of connecting flights. Or bouncing through the air on a small plane (Air Sunshine) which some one I know calls a flying mosquito and swears that she wouldn't be caught on that unless its just a quick trip to EIS, or to SXM the furthest. I don't even think that many living in the Eastern Caribbean even bother to visit the USVI anymore.

I don't even think that many living in the Eastern Caribbean even bother to visit the USVI anymore.

There is a visa waiver program moving through US Congress for Caricom countries. Not sure if it will be limited to OECS only, but that is a possibility. I visited SKB and NEV recently and many remarked that they would visit, but need to go to BGI to renew/apply for their visa, so a visa waiver would definitely help.

I don't even think that many living in the Eastern Caribbean even bother to visit the USVI anymore.

There is a visa waiver program moving through US Congress for Caricom countries. Not sure if it will be limited to OECS only, but that is a possibility. I visited SKB and NEV recently and many remarked that they would visit, but need to go to BGI to renew/apply for their visa, so a visa waiver would definitely help.

If the visa waiver works then this will stimulate travel into the USVI, but in today's Trump era I doubt that this will get through. It will also mean that scrutiny for people traveling out of the USVI to the mainland will be heightened by authorities terrified that the USVI will be used as a back door entry to the mainland. I would imagine even US citizens resident in the USVI will be scrutinized to guard against document fraud.

It will probably more likely be limited to the OECS as I am of the impression that there are lower rates of "visa over stays" plus the populations are smaller so its less likely that numbers of undocumented migrants will be large. Plus the USVI enjoys close ties with the OECS (they would be members if they weren't a US territory. Don't think that the bond is with Jamaica or Guyana, and even the USVI will be scared of illegals from this larger countries if a waiver were to apply.

Problem is that some one from SKB can wind up spending a minimum US$600/ This being airfare to BGI, one overnight hotel, taxis and meals, and they haven't even spent any money on the visa yet. This assumes that they can get to the Consulate by 1:30PM and pickup the visa by 3:30PM the following day. This is limits who can travel and the fact that, unless they get unlimited entry, will reserve the visa for trips to MIA or NYC.

The other OECS nationals can do first flight to BGI and last flight out, so mightn't have to spend the night, plus the fare should be lower. SKB/NEV has the closest ties to the USVI and so discretionary travel is most likely. I think that migration from SKB/NEV plus DOM probably occurred more recently than from ANU (they became "rich") and SLU (too far) so the ties are probably stronger. I suspect that proximity also induced some to "live" in both countries, resulting in more travel.

. I think that the 3S booking problem might be that they cannot bring you back to SJU. I know that LI doesn't penalize for one way fares but I don't know what #s's policy will be.

A one way ticket SJU-SLU cannot be booked on the website. Does 3S realize how much potential business theyre missing out on ?

The issue is that the French Antilles lives in a bubble, poorly integrated with the rest of the Caribbean, so I don't think that they even think of travel which doesn't originate or is destined to PTP/FDF. DOM and SLU exist in their orbit, as do BGI, SDQ, SJU and PAP as there is ample travel from the French Antilles to these points.

But I don't think that they are sensitive to travel elsewhere. Interesting because yoni had suggested that the French gov't wants FDF and PTP to become hubs for Caribbean travel. As LI "pussy foots" around there is certainly scope for that, but if one cannot even book these trips then it cannot happen. In addition 3S being handicapped from expanding its route network because the French gov't does little to facilitate it (the USVI fiasco)..WM would love to offer "big plane" service to points deep in the Eastern Caribbean, and would use 3S for this if they could. But 3S isn't allowed to properly be part of this process unless it involves routes of interest to the French gov't, which the USVI clearly aren't.

DR Aviation:Avion Express pulled out of Dominican Wings; HI968 is no longer flying for them. A Dominican investor bought all the stock.

PAWA to operate charter flights to Colombia in Nov. First CRJ to arrive in July.

Sky High to launch new services: STI-EIS, STI-SXM, and SDQ-SXM.

That SDQ SXM route seems quite crowded with PAWA running up to 7 weekly jets on that route. Maybe Sky could look at nonstop flights to ANU and SKB as an example. Both islands have large Dominican communities. I think that Sky periodically runs charters to those islands.

Some interesting info this week from the OAG thread. It looks like BVI Airways has put off or delayed plans to start Miami. JetBlue is beefing up Fort Lauderdale-Barbados again. And last but not least, IMO completely out of left field BahamasAir is looking to start flying Miami-St. Vincent. This makes absolutely zero sense to me. I think the only carrier that would be able to make So. Fla-SVD work is American. If the gov't of SVG can't secure them, then B6 or BW as a last resort. I can't see how UP makes that route work. I'd even have expected OJ to pick up a route like this before UP. However, I guess after making years of promises surrounding the construction of an international airport, the gov't will welcome any non-regional service at this point.

Some interesting info this week from the OAG thread. It looks like BVI Airways has put off or delayed plans to start Miami. JetBlue is beefing up Fort Lauderdale-Barbados again. And last but not least, IMO completely out of left field BahamasAir is looking to start flying Miami-St. Vincent. This makes absolutely zero sense to me. I think the only carrier that would be able to make So. Fla-SVD work is American. If the gov't of SVG can't secure them, then B6 or BW as a last resort. I can't see how UP makes that route work. I'd even have expected OJ to pick up a route like this before UP. However, I guess after making years of promises surrounding the construction of an international airport, the gov't will welcome any non-regional service at this point.

, I guess after making years of promises surrounding the construction of an international airport, the gov't will welcome any non-regional service at this point.

.

When Ralph meets his NY area nationals in August, when the Caribbean heads do their usual pilgrimage to the UN with mandatory stops to speak to the Diaspora, I can only imagine the loud yelling that will be heard. "Ralph yu promise dat we wouldn't have to go tru Barbados or Trinidad again but I booking my trip home for Xmas and dat is all I seeing!" "Ralph how come you can't even get Caribbean Airlines to run a nonstop to help we out?"

The most Ralph will be able to say is that if they use BW then they will not have to go through immigration, but they will have to go through security on the way back, so don't buy any duty free, unless it is bought at POS.

He is hoping to do better by begging for a charter. The minute that a charter arrives in SVD from NYC or YYZ Ralph is rushing off to hug the passengers as they disembark, with his press corps singing his praises. Those who know Caribbean politics, know that the diaspora is critical in funding raising, in influencing how people back home vote, with more than a few even traveling home to vote themselves.

Now that LI has ceased service out of the USVI how are people travelling to these islands? Curious about the SLU bit, given that Seaborne doesn't fly there. .

The quick option would have been to connect in BGI. However, LI's SJU-DOM-BGI flight doesn't connect to the BGI-SLU flight.

.

Air Sunshine seems to be using their larger 1900c planes to do STT SKB. So that seems a good solution for that market. I think its large enough to address those who don't like tiny planes. Depends on their fares and reliability.

Now that LI has ceased service out of the USVI how are people travelling to these islands? Curious about the SLU bit, given that Seaborne doesn't fly there. .

The quick option would have been to connect in BGI. However, LI's SJU-DOM-BGI flight doesn't connect to the BGI-SLU flight.

.

Air Sunshine seems to be using their larger 1900c planes to do STT SKB. So that seems a good solution for that market. I think its large enough to address those who don't like tiny planes. Depends on their fares and reliability.

Good news. They need to start flying to STX. I know people who connect in STT to use Air Sunshine. They should expand to SLU. Hummingbird used to operate flights STX-SLU in their Beech B99, but were banned from flying the route because the aircraft has no lavatory, which many felt was unacceptable, given the near 2-hour flying time. I believe it was either the SLU govt or ECCAA who was behind the ban. Under current regulations, all nonstop flights from USVI to SLU must utilize an aircraft equipped with a lavatory. I wonder if Air Sunshine's 1900c has a lavatory.

Posted on another thread but AV has discontinued BGI it will be interesting to see in BGI can get any new carriers however, things are not looking up.

With the expanded service by B6 out of the USA and by BA, VS and the various charters out of the UK does BGI really need more airlines out of its major markets?

Several years ago BGI had AA with 3X daily with 757s, USAir Sa/Su out of CLT, and B6 with a daily A320.

This winter its looking like B6 with 2x daily out of JFK (with a 3rd Sa flight) Sa out of EWR, Sa Su out of BGI and daily out of FLL (with connections available thru that hub). And AA with 2X daily A321 plus its A319 from CLT on Sa.

That looks like a huge jump. Its probably better to have a few airlines offering significant airlift then many more with fewer seats. BGI has some of the best fares in the Caribbean so its not that the need for competition with lower fares is an issue. In fact its this which most likely led DL to exit ATL as they already did from JFK.

Its not as if these other carriers don't have their eyes on the Eastern Caribbean as this winter into SKB DL will expand its ATL service and start new service from JFK. UA already flies out of EWR. UVF is another airport which has seen significant increased airlift out of the USA as has GND. This including UA seasonal service from ORD.

I don't think that B6 takes subsidies so BGI needs to enjoy this increased airlift as it is the only destination that B6 serves in the E/Caribbean with so many year round gateways. Even SXM doesn't get this.

The fares out of Miami to Barbados are indeed amazing. One can secure a RT on AA for as low as $215. This is even lower than to POS & SJU which have traditionally been the lowest fare destinations in the EC. I'm not sure how much longer these fares can be sustained but I'll be sure to take advantage while they are there.

As for overall numbers, BGI gets more passengers than every tourism dependent destination in the EC. I've posted the US DOT numbers in this thread. The biggest concern for BGI is that their US tourist arrivals are highly concentrated between two airlines (B6 & AA). However, the biggest concern about concentration is usually high fares. BGI definitely doesn't have that problem.